There’s more to hoarding than OCD, the reasons for the habit are many and various. Understanding this is the key to understanding how to help sufferers.

Click here to read the Guardian’s article on hoarding.

3 Comments
  1. As a subject hoarding fascinates me, its origins, its root causes- cures and the therapy evolving around it .
    As a hoarder myself it swamps me, puts blocks on myself and my child’s social life, fuddles my thought process and makes me feel a failure. Friends often find it very amusing, but are very keen to lend solutions and advice ” get a skip and get rid of it all”
    “get off your @rse and tidy more often” is the one I hear the most – but neither of these are a solution.

    I equate my hoarding to a massive ball of twine – someone comes along and asks you to find the beginning of the string that is buried deep in the heart of the ball. How do you know where to start? How many layers are there before you find the right thread ?
    Its really an impossible task whichever way you look at it.

    Such a sad affliction being a hoarder yet totally self imposed!
    ….. as a post note I did actually request to see a therapist and her solution was to tell me to tidy up! Ahhh now why didn’t I think of that 🙂

    • Hi Estelle,

      Thank you for your insightful post. I like your analogy of a ball of twine, I am sure many will identify with it.It is such a shame that this condition causes people to concentrate on the stuff rather than the person. This does not happen with other conditions, like depression. I would like to hope that therapists dont suggest their client ‘cheer up’!! Sadly ignorance is the cause of this attitude, so few people understand this condition.
      Take heart however, people have come out over the other side. You can unravel that ball of twine ,slowly but surely, gaining confidence and clarity as you go…

    • Hi Estelle,

      I was really touched to read your comment here, it’s hugely insightful.

      I work in television for a production company called Blink Films. We’re currently producing a programme in which we will provide people who have a problem with hoarding with the therapy and home help that they need to get the condition under control.

      Does that sound like something you might be interested in hearing more about?

      If so, I would love to hear from you. The best email to use is maddie.dodd@blinkfilmsuk.com

      With warmest wishes,

      Maddie

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